Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Conditions in the backcountry remain dangerous.  Warm temperatures continue to make it easier to trigger a slab avalanche. New snow and wind will create further instabilities. It will be possible to trigger very large avalanches in steep terrain today. Stick to terrain 30 degrees or less and avoid being in the runout of terrain from above.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Up to 3 feet of dense snow combined with strong winds over the last 5 days have created dangerous conditions. New and recent snow has formed slabs 2-4 feet thick that when triggered can propagate across large distances and make escape impossible. Obvious signs such as cracking and collapsing may not be present.  Large triggers, terrain over 35 degrees, and warm temps are factors that will increase the odds of triggering an avalanche today. Keep terrain choices simple by sticking to lower angled terrain and be especially wary of the creekbeds and flat terrain that create unsurvivable terrain traps.

    Weak snow near the base of the snowpack lurks 2-5 feet below the surface. New snow and warm temperatures are stressing these weak layers. Avalanches involving these layers could occur with a significant trigger such as a large wind slab avalanche, a passing snowmobile or even a group gathered below a slope. 

Avalanche Discussion

Strange weather makes for strange avalanche conditions. We certainly have strange weather now and the current stability picture is fuzzy. A conservative approach is definitely warranted until we can confidently consider the January drought layer to be dormant or at least understand more clearly to what extent it exists across the terrain. The lingering mid storm graupel/density break is also something to consider though that type of layer tends to sinter and stabilize pretty quickly. The red flags due to weather and snowpack are waving pretty clearly today and are hopefully waving folks off from getting into steep terrain. 

Regions covered